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Friday, February 17, 2017
Ann Arbor, Michigan
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CAMPUS LIFE
Panel talks methods to curb sexual assault cases A series of speakers addressed statistics, challenges faced in tackling the issue NIKOLA JAKSIC For the Daily
JEREMY MITNICK/Daily
President Mark Schlissel discusses University projects at the Regents meeting in the Fleming Administration Building on Thursday.
Students denounce ‘U’ response to recent events at Regents meeting
The Board also approved renovation projects and made faculty appointments MATT HARMON & JENNIFER MEER Daily Staff Reporters
Public comments on the University of Michigan’s alleged response to antiSemitic acts on campus, the renovations to University recreational facilities and new administrative appointments led the conversation at the February Board of Regents meeting Thursday.
The meeting marked the board’s first public convening in 2017. Regents Shauna Ryder Diggs (D), Mark Bernstein (D) and newly elected Ron Weiser (R) phoned into the meeting, while Regent Denise Ilitch (D) was not present in order attend the funeral of her father, prominent Detroit businessman Mike Ilitch. Response to anti-Semitic acts In both public comment sessions of the meeting, students and community members criticized University
President Mark Schlissel’s response to the racist and antiSemitic emails sent earlier this month. Engineering and computer science students were sent emails from a hacker posing as University faculty. The emails expressed anti-Black and anti-Semitic sentiments. Speakers conveyed the common sentiment that Schlissel did not respond to the threats toward African Americans and Jews on campus with enough force. Eugene Greenstein, former president of the Zionist
Organization of AmericaMichigan Region, said in the past, the University has routinely failed to condemn anti-Semitism on campus. Nearly all the speakers also brought up demonstrations put on by Palestinian student advocacy group Students Allied for Freedom and Equality as a part of #UMDivest, a movement calling on the University to divest from human rights violations in Israel. “It’s three strikes and you’re See REGENTS, Page 3
About 100 students gathered in Annenberg Auditorium to listen to a series of speakers address the topic of campus sexual assault as a part of a policy talk at the Ford School of Public Policy Thursday night. William Axinn, a research professor at the University of Michigan Institute for Social Research, underscored the implications of his research, which focuses on gathering and analyzing statistics on sexual assault. “I think you’ll see numbers that demonstrate that all of us are bystanders,” Axinn said. “And as a result, it can be pretty stressful to look at some of these numbers. I’m the data guy, but not the happy data guy.” According to Axinn, 25 percent of American women report they have been forced into sexual intercourse.
However, women are almost three times more likely to experience this type of assault on university campuses. At the University, Axinn’s research tries to quantify one of the most pervasive problems regarding sexual assault: underreporting. Of the sexual assaults in the last 12 months, only 46 percent of survivors tell anyone about their assault, and of those, only 3.6 percent report to an official resource at the University. In an attempt to mitigate some of these problems, he works with the National Survey of Family Growth, an organization that seeks to inform the discussion on sexual assault in the United States, to increase participation in surveys about sexual violence. By using third-party facilitators and a non-web based poll, the latest survey conducted by the University got a 67 percent response rate, which is considered high in See SPEAKERS, Page 3
Activist and CEO Yavilah McCoy talks Opposition ‘U’ alum over gas tax holding multiple identities at Trotter announces
GOVERNMENT
ANN ARBOR
aiming to fix public roads
Event jointly hosted by BSU, Hillel, and NOiR Runway Fashion draws crowd of 60
Tax revenue to go toward an investment in State infrastructure, transport
Yavilah McCoy, an AfricanAmerican Jewish activist and educator, spoke to a diverse group of about 60 students on Thursday evening at the Trotter Multicultural Center about her experiences as an activist and holding multiple identities, particularly in a changing political and social climate. The event, called “Holding Racial Justice, Equity and Intersectionality in 2017,” was hosted jointly by the Black Student Union, University of Michigan Hillel and NOiR Runway Fashion. McCoy is the CEO of Dimensions Educational Consulting, a company that promotes diversity education in institutions, and the founder of Ayecha, a nonprofit that advocates for Jews of Color in the United States. McCoy invoked her diverse experiences in advocating coalition to the audience, something she said is important to build in the face of hate and racism. “I want to dedicate this discussion about how we can hold social justice and equity and intersectionality across lines of difference,” McCoy said. “What I came prepared to do was to talk to you about the ways which race, religion and gender have intersected in my lived experience, and given me very powerful reasons to stand and
CARLY RYAN
Daily News Reporter
In an effort to fund the restructuring of Michigan’s deteriorating roads and bridges, a new state tax on gasoline will place Michigan in the nation’s top five for highest gas tax rates. There have been mixed reactions, however, since the implementation of the tax. The tax took effect Jan. 1 and increased the tax on unleaded gasoline from 19 cents to 26.3 cents per gallon. Tax revenue will go toward an investment in Michigan’s transportation infrastructure and will add about $455 million a year to the budget, according to the Detroit News. The Republican-backed plan is the first gas tax increase in 20 years, and is a part of a $1.2 billion package announced last November. The package passed narrowly, though Gov. Rick Snyder promised benefits that would go beyond repaired roads. “It’s not just about asking for more revenue,” Snyder See TAX, Page 3
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deliver in the name of equity and justice.” She described her experience of holding multiple identities as a practice of having multiple perspectives, both of which are situations have different privileges and face different oppressions. Communicating personal truths across different communities, McCoy explained, is crucial in building coalitions in justice advocacy. For the organizers of the event, this message comes
at a crucial time on the University of Michigan’s campus. “There’s been tensions in both (African-American and Jewish) communities, with different students enacting violence in different ways against our communities,” said BSU member Jesse Love, an LSA sophomore. “We felt that it was important to build a sense of connections between our organizations, in a time where our communities are being attacked in very similar
ways.” Late last week, three anonymous emails were sent to engineering students with antiSemitic and racist messages. The sending of the emails spurred students to protestoutside University President Mark Schlissel’s house to call for increased institutional responses to racially-charged incidents. McCoy noted the first step in fighting for justice was to listen, See TROTTER, Page 3
THE HISTORY OF M E DICINE
JEREMY MITNICK/DAILY The Art and Science of Healing From Antiquity to the Renaissance exhibition investigating the history of modern medicine through early medical artifacts is displayed at Kelsey Museum of Arcaeology. The exhibition is on display through April 30.
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INDEX
Vol. CXXVII, No. 32 ©2017 The Michigan Daily
bid for City re-election
Councilmember Zachary Ackerman stated his intent in Facebook post ANDREW HIYAMA Daily Staff Reporter
Ann Arbor City Councilmember Zachary Ackerman (D–Ward 3) announced in a Facebook post he will be running for re-election in 2017, earlier today. Ackerman, a University of Michigan alum, became the youngest councilmember in over 20 years when he won the 2015 general election with 90.68 percent of the vote while he was still a student. The 2017 election will be the last municipal election in an odd year, as a result of a successful November ballot proposal extending City Council term limits from two to four years. Councilmembers elected in 2017 will serve a threeyear term, making their next election year even. As of the time of publication, no one else has announced candidacy for the Ward 3 seat. In the press release announcing his re-election bid, Ackerman pointed to his successes as a councilmember in the areas of transportation — helping to develop a plan to repave several of the city’s major roads — and housing See CITY, Page 3
NEWS.........................2 OPINION.....................4 ARTS......................6
SUDOKU.....................2 CLASSIFIEDS...............6 SPORTS....................7
News
2 — Friday, February 17, 2017
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ON THE DAILY: POTENTIAL JAMBA JUICE FAILS TO JAZZ A2 The residents of Ann Arbor will finally have a Jamba Juice location to call their own, according to a new MLive report — or so a sign recently added to a vacant storefront on Washtenaw Avenue would suggest. Representatives from the Washtenaw Commons shopping center did not immediately respond to requests for comment on whether or not the rumors were true. The California-based juice chain has grown rapidly since its founding in 1990, opening more than 800 locations in 26 states and nine countries, including the US. Many news outlets even describe the chain’s popularity as a “craze.” The craze does not appear to be popular with Michiganders, though, according to the comments section on the MLive article. “Jamba Juice was great 17 years ago when a cup of carbs the size of
your head seemed like an excellent idea,” wrote the commenter “Michigander.” MLive user “chuck roast,” who took issue with the speculative and trivial nature of the article, had a few words for the author. “You need to get a real job!” he wrote in a comment, tagging the author. User “TwoBigDogs,” read the guidelines before commenting and was a bit more respectful. “Respectfully, WHY is THIS a ‘story’?” TwoBigDogs wrote. “I KNOW of 31 NEW signs installed in the last WEEK alone. Where are THEY?” According to a book by the company’s founder, the name came from the word “jama,” meaning, “to celebrate.” However, MLive commenter Merica2016 wrote, and a dictionary search confirmed,
the company’s name has a slightly different meaning. “Jamba means fart in Swahili,”
Saline Patch @SalinePatch
Merica2016 wrote. - ANDREW HIYAMA
Walmart Buys Metro Detroit Outdoors Retailer Moosejaw For $51M
FILM TRICKS
Michigan Students @UMichStudents Also, I’ve lost count over the number of bowls of nachos I’ve had over the past week. #sendhelp #midtermstress
KEVIN ZHENG/DAILY The Landmark Mascot advertises housing at the Off Campus Housing & Sublet Information Fair in the Union on Thursday.
CAMPUS EVENTS & NOTES
Scott DeRue @scottderue
Endangered Heritage Conference
New Sociologies of Literature
The VR World of Oculus Rift
Navigating U.S. Job Search
WHAT: International experts from different regions in Asia, Africa and the Americas will discuss the threats of war, globalization and climate change. WHO: Center for South Asian Studies WHEN: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. WHERE: Rackham Graduate School, Amphitheatre
WHAT: Ignacio Sanchez, a professor of Latin American Studies at Washington University in St. Louis, will lead a workshop on neoliberal labor in Mexico. WHO: Romance Languages and Literatures WHEN: 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. WHERE: Modern Languages Building, RLL Commons
WHAT: ITS will offer a Oculus Rift virtual reality demonstration, allowing participants to test the technology for 10 minutes. WHO: Information and Technology Services WHEN: 11 a.m. to Noon WHERE: Michigan Union, Room G312
WHAT: The Career Center will discuss the preparation and search process for international students looking to work in the U.S. after finishing their degrees. WHO: University Career Center WHEN: 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. WHERE: Michigan Union, Kuenzel Room
Ross Diaries Mini WHAT: Business students will share powerful stories about influential experiences and events in their lives. WHO: Sanger Leadership Center WHEN: 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. WHERE: Ross School of Business, Robertson Auditorium
Academic Freedom in Times of War
Mastering the American Accent
WHAT: A panel will discuss academic freedom at the University during WWI, including stories of professors who were let go after allegedly being sympathetic to the German cause. WHO: LSA Bicentennial Theme Semester WHEN: 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. WHERE: Tisch Hall, Room 1014
WHAT: The program will help non-native English speakers improve their listening and speech abilities. Sessions include an assessment, group conversations, exercises and guidance. WHO: Mary A. Rackham Institute WHEN: 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.
LYDIA BARRY
Daily Staff Reporter
Two University of Michigan researchers found that a Black male youth’s perception of his neighborhood’s safety is negatively correlated with his risk of developing major depressive disorder. Psychiatry research investigator Shervin Assari and Cleopatra Howard Caldwell, chair of the Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, conducted the research on 1,170 Black youths, ages 13 to 17. The researchers collected data on the subjects’ perceptions of safety within their neighborhoods in relation to their gender, race and risk of developing MDD. According to prior research on the subject, MDD is less
GO GIVE SOMEONE A HUG. puzzle by sudokusyndication.com
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Michael Rafo @Raffdawgg
WHAT: The exhibit will allow students to view some of the cool and odd items collected by the Clements Library since its opening in 1923. WHO: William L. Clements Library WHEN: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. WHERE: William Clements Library, Avenir Foundation Room
1) Why is our spring break in FEBRUARY?! 2) Why do I have midterms before break starts?!
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For Black males, perception of safety negatively correlated with mental wellness find support for this theory.” Instead, these researchers found the opposite to be true. In a previous study, Assari found stress to be a stronger risk factor for depression in men. “The idea is that men are more vulnerable to the effect of environmental stress, possibly because they try to look tough,” Assari said. “So they do not seek help when needed.” According to the Center for Disease Control, this research could be troubling because men are less likely to seek help for issues relating to mental health, and because racial minorities are less likely to have access to mental health care. “Nearly 9% of men (8.5%) had daily feelings of anxiety or depression,” according to the CDC. “Less than one-half of them (41.0%) took medication for these feelings or had recently talked to a mental health professional … Compared with white Americans, persons of other races in the United States are less likely to have access to and receive needed mental health care.” According to Assari, the steps involved in solving this issue will not solely be discovered through research. Instead, societal changes must take place in order for the mental health of these adolescents to be improved. “The intervention should be a multi-level one,” Assari said. “While we should help the individual to better cope with the stress, we should help families to support their youth, and we should also design and implement new public policies that operate in a higher level. Less investments on majorityBlack neighborhoods means more depression and health problems among resident of those communities.”
Illitch quietly paid Rosa Parks’ rent for years. It’s often the unspoken acts of kindness that define our character.
Out of the Ordinary
‘U’ researchers find link between neighborhood safety and depression common but more severe in the Black population. Because of this, Assari said further research on the topic of the correlation between MDD and other societal factors is important. “Although MDD may be less common among Blacks, depression tends to be more chronic, severe, and disabling in Blacks,” Assari’s study said. “As a result, regardless of presence of clinical MDD, Blacks have more severe depressive symptoms than Whites.” Assari said they wanted see whether Black women were as suceptible. “We wanted to know whether perception of unsafe neighborhood would be similarly bad for all groups of Blacks based on ethnicity and gender,” Assari said. “There is a literature which says women are more vulnerable to their environment. We did not
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TAX From Page 1 said. “It’s about investing in Michigan’s future to create jobs.” At the State of State address in January, Snyder made infrastructure improvements a main pillar of his speech. “Michigan residents deserve safe, reliable, sustainable infrastructure,” Snyder said. “We need to invest more, we need to literally invest billions of dollars of new investment over the next several decades.” Including 6 percent sales tax and excluding the federal gas tax of 18.4 cents per gallon, Michigan’s combined tax rate will total about 37.8 cents per gallon, the fifth highest in the nation after Pennsylvania, Washington state, Hawaii and New York. Federal tax revenue will not go toward infrastructure repairs. This increased cost will place
REGENTS From Page 1 out, except if you’re targeting Jewish students at the University of Michigan,” Greenstein said. “In that case, the record is clear that the University administration will remain silent and take no action.” In response to Greenstein’s comments, Schlissel reiterated previous statements denouncing both racism and anti-Semitism as unacceptable on campus. “Bigotry of any kind is unacceptable in our community and I’ve said so countless times,” Schlissel said. “Bigotry includes bigotry on the basis of race, ethnicity and on religion. AntiSemitism is not tolerated here or elsewhere and should not be.” Despite these remarks, community speakers continued to step up reaffirm the previous statements. University alum Sheldon Freilich outlined four steps he said the University should take to reverse “double standards” when responding to anti-Semitism. “Concrete steps that this University should take include the following four,” he said. “Disciplinary measures for those who commit antiSemitic bigotry, publicly and forcefully labeling incidents that are explicitly anti-Semitic … educating teachers and students about the dangers of anti-Semitism … and informing all students of the school’s procedures and policies when seeking redress for incidents of discrimination and harassment.” In his address to the board earlier in the meeting, LSA senior David Schafer, president of Central Student Government, said students on campus who
SPEAKERS From Page 1 the field. Pamela Heatlie, the deputy Title IX coordinator in the Office for Institutional Equity, said much of her work at the OIE is aimed at improving the 3.6 percent sexual assault reporting rate, including updating the sexual misconduct policy in July to include expanded definitions and scope of acceptable conduct. She emphasized this process was centered on giving students choices and control with how they proceed. “For the most part, we want claimants to feel a sense of control in what can feel like a very uncontrollable situation,” she said. She discussed whether sexual assault should be handled internally at all, as this can compromise investigations. She elaborated that civil rights laws, in particular Title IX guidance, require the school to provide services to investigate sexual discrimination, including sexual assault. Holly Rider-Milkovich, the former director of the Sexual
a significant burden on drivers, especially student drivers, such as LSA freshman Catharine Greenberg. Greenberg, a resident of Vermont, said, though her state’s harsh weather should yield similar damage to its infrastructure system, Michigan’s roads are in far worse condition. “My first time driving in Michigan, it was very obvious that the roads weren’t as comfortable to drive on,” Greenberg said. Though most of Greenberg’s driving is done in Vermont, she has a car on campus, which she said is becoming more expensive than she expected. “My car doesn’t get great gas mileage,” Greenberg said. “For a college student trying to scrape things together, that’s going to cost me about four dollars extra each time I fill up my tank, which is a really significant amount.” Despite this relatively large change in gas prices,
were not affected by recent attacks contribute to an attitude of apathy. “This is something that we can and must address in some form or another if we hope to empower more students to become allies,” he said. “An offense against any member of the Michigan community is an offense against all. When one student or one community is made to feel unsafe … that must matter to all of us, even if it’s not someone that we know.” The executive board of the Black Student Union attended the event, wearing all black in solidarity. LSA sophomore Jesse Love, political actions chair of the Black Student Union, said the University’s response was inadequate and measurable action must be taken. “We want to the University to know, although we couldn’t get a speaking time, that our presence is definitely something that’s going to be felt and that this is an issue that we have with the University,” he said. “Obviously it’s not every day that we come to Regents meetings, but we felt it was specifically necessary that we come to this meeting so that they can see that their inaction did not go unnoticed.” Recreation Facility Changes The Regents approved $21 million in renovations to the Bennie Oosterbaan Field House, among other construction plans. The project consists of building a 32,000-square-foot performance center within the fieldhouse for use by the football program. Additionally, the plan calls for a 5,000-square-foot mezzanine level to be created. Other renovations, such
Assault Prevention and Awareness Center, attempted to dispel what she felt was a fallacy in the way campuses dealt with sexual assault. “Oftentimes, when I am talking about this issue on campus, there is a false dichotomy that is struck,” she said. “That we can either focus on prevention, or we can focus on compliance, and I really encourage us as a community and us nationally to stop dividing these two pieces, that we can both do excellent work in compliance, and excellent work in prevention. And I would argue that the best way to achieving compliance is to do our very best work in prevention.” She used the University as an example of a school that has a robust system for dealing with sexual assault, and to her, the first step in creating this kind of system is a focus on long-term funding. Rider-Milkovich discussed how the University’s program has evolved over the past 25 years, beginning with an initial focus on preventing sexual assault and its consequences. While this was considered a standard industry practice for the time, she detailed how the University has
Sam Beydaun, manager of University Fuel Mart on Main Street, said he has not seen any changes in demand for gasoline at his station. “The price of gas changes so much on its own that I
It’s about investing in Michigan’s future to create jobs
don’t think people paid much attention to the 7 cent increase,” Beydaun said. “It seems like just another f luctuation.” Many Michigan residents have stressed the urgency with which infrastructure needs to be repaired. The package, which was announced in 2015 and included taxes that did not take effect until 2017, does
as upgrading heating and ventilation, will also be made to address safety concerns. Prior to the plan’s approval, Business junior Nate Fisher, president of the men’s club rugby team, asked the Regents to delay the project. Fisher spoke on behalf of the 31 club sports teams at the University, citing that almost a third of these teams utilize Oosterbaan for practice and competition. The construction, he said, would hurt their programs. “The reduction of Oosterbaan translates to fewer hours of practice to refine skills, fewer scrimmages to prepare against opponents, fewer games and less time to become a team that is capable of upholding the prestige expected of students at the University,” he said. Fisher noted club sports allow students to gain leadership skills and interact with alumni and administration. He cited that in recent years, teams that practice in Oosterbaan have attended National Championships 25 times and won five titles. “Oosterbaan is very valuable due to its size and indoor benefits,” he said. “Seven out of the nine teams require a space the same size as Oosterbaan with a similar ceiling height to play sanctioned games, and together we play approximately 35 games. The renovated indoor track building that (the University Athletic Department) described will not meet these league standards or have the additional run-off room on the sidelines for safety.” Among other things, Fisher noted that, if the capacity of Oosterbaan is reduced, as
since spearheaded a more comprehensive approach. This approach emphasizes what healthy sexuality looks like and mandates participation in healthy sexuality events for all incoming students. With these steps, she also referenced the desire to increase student reporting of crimes, as well as the hope for a decrease in overall incidents. Public Policy senior Emma Zorfass, who has volunteered with SAPAC throughout her entire college career, underscored the need for more education. “We want to start talking more explicitly about the connection between sexual violence and other forms of violence,” Zorfass said. “Sexism, racism, xenophobia, etc., they all happen in the same space and they’re interconnected, so it makes sense to talk about them all together.” This focus has increased outreach between student organizations and facilitated dialogue about increases in violence as well. Dialogue between SAPAC and student groups is something Zorfass feels can help reach more students on campus throughout their college careers.
not allow revenue to go toward roads until fiscal year 2019. The full dedication of revenue to roads will not be available until fiscal year 2021. The $455 million in expected tax revenue actually replaces the $400 million allocated by the state’s general fund to go toward infrastructure improvements in the 2015-2016 fiscal year. The $400 million amount was not in the current fiscal year budget. In addition to the increased gas tax, annual registration fees for cars, vans, light trucks and commercial trucks will rise 20 percent. Prior to the increase, the average annual fee was $120. With the 20 percent increase in place, an additional $24 will be charged, making the total fee $144. Gaselectric hybrid vehicles will experience an average increase of $47, and electric vehicles will experience an average increase of $135. Democrats have expressed concern that with such large
suggested by the proposal, only one team could practice safety at a time. Administrative Appointments The Regents made two major administrative appointments Thursday afternoon. Kallie Bila Michels was appointed full-time vice president for communications. After serving as associate vice president for communications since 2008, Michels will take on the role of chief communications officer, working with the Board of Regents and other executive officers to organize communications and marketingrelated initiatives. She will also oversee the University’s social media outlets. The action request signed by Schlissel said Michels will be responsible for enhancing the university’s reputation and visibility locally, nationally, and internationally. It will also work to position and differentiate the University among leading institutions of higher education. The board also confirmed Elizabeth B. Moje as dean of the School of Education. Moje is currently serving as interim dean and teaches classes in secondary and adolescent literacy, cultural theory and research methods. Her research focuses on youth literacy in Detroit, specifically addressing the intersection of disciplinary literacies of school and literacy in and out of school. The action request signed by Interim Provost Paul Courant, in his first official appearance before the board as interim provost, says Moje’s “enthusiasm and dedication” to the School of Education is evident in all her work. Michels assumes her position on Feb. 17, while Moje’s appointment takes effect on March 1.
Friday, February 17, 2017 — 3 sums of money coming out of the state’s budget to fund the parts of the project not covered by tax revenue, less money will be available for issues like health care and education. State Rep. Yousef Rabhi (D–Ann Arbor) said taking money from the general fund was a reckless decision that will not solve Michigan’s roads problems. “We should never have touched the state’s general fund,” Rabhi said. “It is just fiscally irresponsible, especially since 1.2 million isn’t even enough to fix our roads. We are looking at cutting 600 million from our budget, and it’s a year after year expenditure.” No conversations have taken place to discuss what programs could potentially lose funding, despite the inevitable losses. Rabhi speculated this conversation is not taking place because supporters of the tax are trying to avoid a public relations “nightmare.” “It’s just another example of
TROTTER From Page 1 then build on one’s own knowledge to help others. “We have to get quiet enough to hear where the cries for healing are coming from,” McCoy said. “What can I use to speak from my tradition to be able to answer the call?” The event was the first in a series of three, aimed to build coalitions between the organizations and identity groups on campus in order to bring about joint civic engagement, according to LSA senior Zara Melitts, a member of Hillel. McCoy also led a communication and relationship building activity her organization uses to guide attendees in the process of addressing grievances across lines of disagreement and identity. LSA sophomore Vivian Obia described how the activity helped her work through experiences
CITY From Page 1 — helping facilitate a program to improve the city’s low-income public housing. He acknowledged, however, that there is still progress to be made in those areas, which is what motivated him to run for re-election. “We have a roads plan, but many streets remain dangerous for pedestrians and cyclists,” the press release read. “We have rehabbed our public housing system, but we have done little to build new workforce housing — housing for our teachers, retirees, restaurant workers, and young professionals.” Recently, many residents have
the government being treated like an ATM,” Rabhi said. Rabhi agreed that fixing Michigan’s roads is a critical issue that needs to be addressed. However, he said he does not think the state has addressed it efficiently and fairly. “The thing that I am cautious about it that it is a regressive tax,” Rabhi said. “People with lower incomes pay higher percentages of their income because of it. I think an ad valorem tax would make it more fair.” Though the increases are significant, Beydaun said, when boiled down, the issue at hand is simple and uncontroversial. “The revenue is going towards a good cause,” Beydaun said. “I don’t think anyone has a problem with it. We need to fix the roads.” State Rep. Kevin Cotter (R– Mount Pleasant), who orginially aided in manufacturing the intrastructure funding plan, did not respond to request for comment.
she had in confronting peers who had voted for President Donald Trump. “Even while you’re dealing with (situations like that), you still have to find peace within yourself in some type of way,” Obia said. “At the end of the day, even if we do disagree on things, I still know who I am as a person, and this has honestly allowed me to love myself even more even with all that’s going on.” LSA senior Micah Griggs, vice president of Central Student Government, said she appreciated McCoy’s words and acknowledged her ability to put current political climate in perspective. “(McCoy) really put things in perspective, that we need to acknowledge and appreciate how people feel, and give ourselves space and support when things like this happen on campus and learn and realize we can move forward as communities together,” she said.
expressed frustration with the city’s lackluster progress on pedestrian safety after a local high school student was killed while crossing the street on his way to school. In a February meeting of City Council, Ackerman supported a resolution to review President Donald Trump’s executive order ceasing federal grants for “sanctuary jurisdictions,” while expressing concerns about the future of public housing. “We need to be wary of slashes to federal funding, and I’ll only say, to me, that comes in the form of federal funding to our Section 8 programs,” he said. “These are programs in the city that distribute up to 1,300 vouchers for housing to those who otherwise may be living on the streets.”
Opinion
4 — Friday, February 17, 2017
The Michigan Daily — michigandaily.com
LAUREN SCHANDEVEL | COLUMN
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SARAH LEESON | COLUMN
Fighting mass gullibility
S
imilar to many University that the Pope endorsed President of Michigan students, Donald Trump or that former I pride myself on my President Barack Obama tried critical thinking to ban the Pledge of and analytical skills. Allegiance. By now, as I careen Fake news might toward graduation not be an issue if without brakes, I feel not for the fact that I am fairly well versed a large majority of in deriving meaning people is falling for from everything. I it. According to a can sprout arguments study from Stanford’s about anything from History Education yogurt advertisements Group, students are SARAH to complex issues, such alarmingly bad at LEESON as whether or not a spotting fake news five-year-old would make and were unable to draw an effective president. However, logical conclusions about the bias, I seem to have one massive source validity and factuality shortcoming: I am somehow of what they were reading. This inexcusably, consistently and can have some pretty massive massively gullible, and I am not implications for our democracy. alone in this. When it comes to Voting relies on the assumption what we read online, it seems that voters can make educated that all of us are consistently and decisions, which requires having problematically easy to fool. valid information. How do we My professors have tried to train make informed decisions when we this out of me by demonstrating can’t know what’s true? how to challenge the ideas put Facebook has reportedly in front of me by engaging with begun taking steps to correct the them skeptically, yet I am still prominence of fake news on its site, one of the most gullible people I but it might be too late; knowing know. Recently, a friend joked that that there is convincing fake news our professor’s first name wasn’t circulating, it seems as if nothing actually Seder but Apple Cider. is trustworthy. With the rising And I 100 percent believed him. distrust of the media, how do we I don’t think he was even trying know what is real? What’s true? to trick me. I just said to myself, This implication that the media “Sure, why not,” and accepted it. can’t be trusted at all is scarier While I’d like to attribute my and harder to battle than simply occasional readiness to believe having to see articles circulating what I’m told to my inherent on Facebook that Senate Majority belief in the good of others, I Leader Mitch McConnell (R–Ky.) think the truth might have more is actually part turtle. to do with me being an idiot Beyond the confusion that this or having too much blind faith matter presents to citizens about that my friends won’t steer me what and whom to believe, an wrong. Perhaps even more likely even more concerning trend is is that I have a lazy streak when being revealed: Politicians now it comes to fact checking, and have the simple cop-out response I know I’m not alone in this. of calling things that they disagree As Americans saw repeatedly with or don’t like “fake news.” during this past election, fake Recently, Syrian President Bashar news (stories that are completely al-Assad used this claim of “fake fabricated or bent so far from the news” in regards to an Amnesty truth as to be unrecognizable International report that cited as reality) is increasingly an human rights violations in issue on social media, spreading military prisons under his regime. baseless conspiracy theories and In dismissing the report as fake, misinformation, like the claim Assad demonstrated how simple
it is to make massive problems essentially disappear. He didn’t want to respond to the allegations, so he discredited them without proof, and suddenly it’s just his word against the media’s. Assad isn’t the only one using this tactic: Trump and his staff are also known for crying “fake news” when unflattering stories surface. “Saturday Night Live” even spoofed such an occurrence when an actor representing CNN had to plead from a cage during a press briefing that “We’re not fake news!” Herein lies the real danger of this phenomenon. In creating a quick, plausible excuse to cast aspersions on the media, it creates a space for the subjects of those stories, namely politicians, to create their own convenient truths and realities. Unfortunately, there doesn’t seem to be a simple way out of this. Regaining trust is easier said than done, especially when it comes to an industry like mass media, which we are inherently asked to trust. John Oliver had a segment on his HBO show, “Last Week Tonight,” this past week, in which he issued a plea for personal responsibility in fact checking, asking viewers to “commit to defending the reality of facts” on a personal level: “Ask questions of yourself, like, ‘is this a source I know and recognize? Has anyone fact checked this? Does it link to primary sources? And do those sources match what the story says?’ ” Oliver suggests. Really, all I can do is request that every concerned citizen questions what they are being told, whether it’s coming from friends, social media or authority figures. Every single one of us can work on our inductive and deductive reasoning skills, and I would know, because I’ve been told it’s true and who am I to question it? Sarah Leeson can be reached at sleeson@umich.edu.
SUBMIT TO SURVIVORS SPEAK The Michigan Daily’s Opinion section is seeking additions to Survivors Speak, a series of first-person accounts of campus sexual assault and its corresponding personal, academic and legal implications. Submissions will be due by March 10 at 11:59PM. Visit http://bit.ly/2kIeoMq for more information.
“
NOTABLE QUOTABLE
I’m not ranting and raving. I’m just telling you. You know, you’re dishonest people. But I’m not ranting and raving. I love this. I’m having a good time doing it.
— President Donald Trump responding to a question about the media at his press conference Thursday.
”
E
Progress is privilege
ven before the election, ostracized in elite liberal circles my county served as a for being problematic or ignorant. huge lure for journalists This is because the standard who were hungry for for sociopolitical a peek into the lives of consciousness at traditional, workingthe University is class individuals. In extremely high — the 1980s, the term students here are “Reagan Democrat” hyper-aware of their was coined about own prejudices and its residents in assumptions and have reference to blue adopted the habit of collar workers who routinely checking flipped Republican themselves to LAUREN after a long track accommodate others. record of voting SCHANDEVEL While this is Democrat. This year, an incredible feat Rolling Stone labeled for us, people who Macomb County, Michigan, have had little exposure to “Trump County, USA” in a academia or progressive spaces provocative headline, and the (by no fault of their own) Guardian seemed to dismiss are not conditioned to do the us as lazy hicks who blissfully same and can seem rude or refuse to read the news. But unsophisticated at times as a despite all the bad publicity, result of their inexperience. it is important to note that not everyone in Macomb County voted for Trump, and many residents of the area are actually pretty progressive — just not in ways that are easily recognizable to University of Michigan students. For context, Macomb County is located in southeast Michigan and is known for being predominantly white and working class. The area’s historical reliance on the auto industry means the effects of Part of this outgroup globalization, outsourcing and scrutiny, I think, is rooted in the 2008 financial crisis not only our inability to acknowledge decimated the economy over the privileges we have as college time, but destroyed the trust students. After all, in many of its residents in government ways, a commitment to activism as well. In local elections, folks is a commitment to incessant still tend to vote Democrat. On education. By attending an elite the national stage, however, institution, we are afforded thinning patience with both time and a myriad of establishment politics has made resources to better ourselves, it increasingly likely for an to reading and interacting with outsider candidate to triumph people who have had a variety over a career politician, if only of experiences and hold views for the sheer satisfaction of that are different from our “sticking it to the man.” own. Questioning our beliefs, But while these people are analyzing our implicit biases and tired and angry, that anger does evaluating our positionalities not always translate into bigotry. (even just knowing what the In fact, most of my friends back word positionality means) home hold fundamental views takes a focused kind of energy that closely match those of the that is not so easily attainable average left-leaning University outside academia. Moreover, of Michigan student, though having a place to intellectualize they would still probably be our everyday experiences
Our job is to relay the information we learn here to others.
and synthesize multiple perspectives is something a lot of us encounter for the first time in college — and not everyone is lucky enough to go to college. We tend to forget the significance of this when we critique others for their shortcomings. Consequently, progressive circles lend themselves to a kind of tragic irony: As they become more and more committed to inclusivity, they unknowingly shut out people who don’t meet their standards of tolerance and consciousness. Outsiders who are not so attuned to these rapidly evolving ideologies — who occasionally flub a pronoun or butcher a name they have never encountered before — are often written off as insensitive or ignorant without further analysis. In our dismissal of what we interpret as bigotry, we alienate people who may otherwise be open to learning; we turn progressive politics into an exclusive club reserved for only the most educated and conscientious while failing to acknowledge that progress itself implies a constant movement toward something better — a spectrum rather than an absolute. Moving forward, we cannot be so quick to repudiate people we perceive as being less educated on the issues than ourselves. It is time to turn our sermons of tolerance and acceptance inward — to understand that not everyone can stay on top of the latest developments in progressive theory, as they may not have access to spaces in which this information is readily available. Be patient and learn to recognize that the ability to pursue higher education and all that it entails is an advantage that very few can access. Our job is to relay the information we learn here to others, not look down at them from our high horses because they cannot explain concepts like intersectionality in sufficient detail. Lauren Schandevel can be reached at schandla@umich.edu.
BRADLEY EBENHOEH | OP-ED
Experiencing campus in a different way
I
am a relatively recent transfer admit to the University of Michigan’s College of Engineering. I am also a severely disabled student. At age 19, I was a sophomore here when I suffered an Arteriovenous Malformation, a brain hemorrhage that left me with signs of a stroke. After being in a coma for three months, I awoke, not being able to do anything. After countless physical therapists, occupational therapists and doctors, I am now 30 and excited to continue studying at this famed University. Charm and friendliness are predominant features in my journey back to the University of Michigan. One of my first experiences started with a visit to Services for Students with Disabilities. The people there were very accommodating and helpful in getting me whatever I needed, be it providing me with scribes or note takers or securing transportation to and from my classes. Without this help, I would not have been able to overcome the new hurdles that arose after the accident. All the people from the University of Michigan have been exceptionally helpful. Without their expert help, I would not be able to attend the University’s College of Engineering. My caregivers at the University have been wonderful. I need caregivers for all my daily tasks of living. While there are not many of them, they became some of my closest friends on campus. They help me by being diligent and kind in their services to me. Without these select few, my experience here would be more challenging. The student body has also been a pleasant surprise to me, providing me with comfort and making me feel at home. It has touched me how they
really cared about me. One instance was when the girl who usually sits behind me in my aerospace engineering class said “Hi!” to me when we were in an Aerospace Engineering Department meeting. Even though it was such a small gesture, it meant the world to me. I have been waiting for a fellow student to extend that common courtesy to me for the longest time. My faith in humanity was restored by how much of a heart the student body at the University of Michigan has. They made me feel a part of their community, which I have wanted all along. What also helps immensely is the presence of student organizations. I was a member of a student group with disabled students and their friends called Students with Disabilities and Our Allies Group. One example of how their behavior changed my life was in one of the first meetings of the group, they asked me if I had any thoughts. I told them that I wished the group could convene in a place more accessible to those who do not live on Central Campus. They helped me by enabling me to participate as a member of a group. Without the student body, I would not have had the courage to speak up in my other student groups up on North Campus. It was not only general student groups that welcomed and included me back into the University. I can’t image this experience without the students and faculty in the Aerospace Engineering Department. Both students and faculty gave me a great opportunity in my first aerospace engineering lab. This class was special because we learned how to design, build and test a hovercraft from scratch. Another great experience I had was one with the aerospace technicians’ office in the Francois-Xavier Bagnoud
Building. I could go in the tech’s office and set down all my stuff for the day and it would be there at the end of the day. I sometimes have 10 or more pounds of various assistive technologies and my personal stuff to carry around with me in a single day, so you can tell I am obviously appreciative because I could find a little place, with the aerospace techs, where I could set my stuff down. They even have a desk in their office just for me. This is not an option for everybody; I only got it after going to their office for many months. I met some of the most influential people in my journey at the University in the tech’s center. I think I found one of the “hidden treasures” of University of Michigan’s North Campus in FXB. Initially, navigating the “system” and life after the accident made me feel like I could never return to accomplish the dreams I had prior to it. Now, I realize that I deserve to be a student and nothing can stop me in my dream of becoming the first disabled person in space. I feel it is of the utmost importance to always have a dream. The dream is what keeps me alive. Without the dream, I would not be where I am: at the University of Michigan. I know I have a long way to go before accomplishing my dream, but if you had seen me in the appalling position I was stuck in after my AVM, you would be f loored at how far I have come. Going back to college was just my first step in accomplishing my dream. One day, I will be a success. I will strive to live up to the strict standards placed on me by being a student at this prestigious University. Bradley Ebenhoeh is an Engineering senior.
The Michigan Daily — michigandaily.com
Arts CLASSICAL MUSIC COLUMN
TV REVIEW
‘Freude!’ — The politics of art
HBO
HBO’s “Crashing” shines A cynical wit and star-studded cast make Pete Holmes’s show a hit For “Crashing,” its success is largely due to its talented Daily Arts Wrtier core of comedic veterans. Each cast member occupies their In recent years, HBO has own comedic niche, and their made a concerted effort to chemistry together shines expand its comedy offerings. through from the series’ With series like “Veep,” initial scenes. Holmes is “Ballers” and “Silicon Valley,” brilliant as a naïve, optimistic the network has attempted comedian attempting to break to establish itself as more into an industry infamous for than just “Game of Thrones.” its sardonic wit. Despite her Following the premiere relatively minor part, Lapkus of its new distinguishes Judd Apatowherself with “Crashing” produced (“The her blunt, 40-Year-Old biting style of Series Premiere Virgin”) comedy humor. Lange is “Crashing,” HBO similarly solid HBO should be able to within his role Sundays at 10:30 add another hit as a burnt-out P.M. to its growing comedian who lineup. Despite never misses an its familiar opportunity to premise, “Crashing” is mock his own situation. As expertly cast and scored, and brief as his appearances are, contains an enjoyable brand of Miller excels at delivering dark, self-deprecating humor his trademark style of that audiences can appreciate. brash, juvenile humor. In a Created by rising comedic particularly hilarious scene, star Pete Holmes (“The Pete Miller becomes upset with Holmes Show”), the series Lange and begins an all-out centers on Holmes’ fictional verbal assault on his outfit, life as a middling comedian telling him: “You look like you struggling to navigate the work for a homeless person. New York City comedy club Are you interning on skid row? scene. After leaving his wife, What cargo are you carrying in the hilarious Lauren Lapkus cargo pants? Are you carrying (“Jurassic World”), Holmes nostalgia for the ’90s?” finds himself on the street, Along with its cast, where a chance encounter “Crashing” benefits from the with a washed-up Artie Lange strength of its soundtrack. (“Howard Stern on Demand”) Featuring acclaimed soulresults in his getting a new men Charles Bradley and Leon mentor. Along with Lange, the Bridges, the show uses its score show features appearances to emphasize the melancholic from a number of prominent aspects of Holmes’s life — he’s comedians, including the left his wife and continues to perpetually-cynical T.J. Miller struggle to establish himself (“Deadpool”) and anointed as a comedian. The songs are “RoastMaster General” Jeff chosen well to coincide with Ross (“Comedy Central Roast more depressing scenes, but of Charlie Sheen”). they remain confined to the CONNOR GRADY
series’s background to not disrupt the show’s overall lighthearted mood. Outside of its soundtrack, “Crashing” suffers from its relatively weak storyline and, at times, narrow type of humor that is constantly repeated. The show opens with the rather trite plot line of Holmes coming home early one day to discover his wife’s infidelity firsthand, before immediately leaving her. This narrative is not only overused but also hastily executed, with the series glossing over Holmes’ wife’s affair and largely ignoring the storyline after the show’s premiere episode. “Crashing” is further hurt by the fact that its writing is unbalanced and, in several instances, relies too heavily upon the nature of Holmes’s life as its sole style of humor. The series elects to mold many of its jokes around this idea, and, while sometimes funny, these gags become repetitive and leave audiences questioning the extent of the show’s comedic range. Despite its occasionally weak writing, the series remains entertaining and produces a stream of laughs. Viewers can’t help but enjoy Holmes’s naiveté juxtaposed with Lange’s no-holds-barred approach that produces a show replete with quality gags. In “Crashing,” Holmes has succeeded in capitalizing on the show’s star-studded cast to develop a program that has terrific dark humor, and it’s pure fun to follow along. “Crashing” will premiere on HBO Sunday, Feb. 19.
NYFW REVIEW
Ulla debuts first runway TESS TOBIN
Daily Arts Writer
Ulla Johnson is killing it. Last Thursday, she debuted the Fall 2017 ready-to-wear collection for her eponymous brand. This marks her first ever runway show for New York Fashion Week — a hallmark of success for any designer, and a particularly poignant one for Johnson whose brand has been growing since its inception in 2000. A psychology major, Johnson had not always envisioned a future in fashion. However, traveling alongside her archaeologist parents instilled in her a love of textiles. Shortly after graduating college, she began her business, much to the chagrin of her parents, who tried to discourage her from
Friday, February 17, 2017 — 5
a future in fashion. Originally self-financed, the brand gained traction when Barneys picked up the line. “I think ultimately Barneys (came to us because of the fact that we feel more intimate, because we’re not a gigantic brand that’s in a big department store, because people want something that is not so insanely visible and just feels like product,” Johnson told Fashionista back in 2014. Even as the brand snowballed, it was important to Johnson that it grow organically. By keeping the brand at a size she could financially support, Johnson never had to relinquish her vision and was able to maintain a high standard. This ultimately fostered the brand’s popularity and ushered in the success it currently enjoys. The collection shown Thursday was massively successful; it can
be summed up as “Little House on the Prairie” x knitwear x ’70s x Valentine’s Day. Feminine, but not cloyingly so. Cool, but not effortful. Vintage-inspired, but not stale. While Ulla Johnson has built her brand on loose printed dresses, in this collection her outerwear and tailored pants shone brightest, particularly her shearling jackets, which were a reoccurring motif in the collection, appearing in several different colors, styles, and lengths, the most impressive being the one draped over the shoulders of the inaugural look. Paired with impeccably tailored cream trousers, which were detailed with two rows of gold buttons and attached suspenders, the outfit declared that the forthcoming collection was not one to be ignored. Overall, it was a forceful debut, one which will foster a new era of success for Johnson.
A week ago I finally got with the State Department, around to doing something and a day later, following an which I probably should international effort, dualhave done a few years ago. passport holders were deemed Sitting somewhere up in the to be exempt from the ban. left mezzanine (I’m not sure Let this be a lesson: Art is precisely where — my ticket not immune from politics. has since become a bookmark Not that many people would in something or another), have seriously suggested the knees askew and jutting out opposite, but often it seems uncomfortably into the seat- that art serves for many back in front of me, I finally people as an escape from saw a live performance of the increasingly-alarming Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9, information surrounding his “Ode to Joy,” as part of an national and international all-Beethoven program that affairs. In the last few weeks spanned nearly a quarter- I’ve certainly used it in such a century of the composer’s life. manner. And that’s fine, even Under the baton of Iván necessary — art can be an Fischer, last Friday Hill emotional balm for artist and Auditorium was host to the recipient alike. But we also Budapest Festival Orchestra, can’t ignore the fact that art is a one of the world’s leading political act. Perhaps it doesn’t symphonic concert groups. always mean to be, just as Before the performance began sometimes it does, and maybe — indeed, before not everyone notices the orchestra was that it’s political. even on the stage But ultimately, — the longtime like almost every president of UMS, decision made, like Ken Fischer (who the act of living is retiring at the itself, art is one of end of this season, the infinite intricate after 30 years with pieces of the vast the organization), world machine we took the stage describe through the DAYTON to introduce the lens of politics. Art musicians. In ref lects life and life HARE his remarks, Mr. ref lects art — and Fischer included the usual right now especially, both are comments about how pleased pretty full of politics. UMS was to welcome the In light of this, it was fitting orchestra, but the end of his that the centerpiece of the speech included a rather Budapest Festival Orchestra’s unique tag: The orchestra concert was Beethoven’s 9th was thrilled to be here that symphony, a work which was night, including every member meant as a paean of universal of the cello section. “If you brotherhood — a fact which was don’t know what I’m talking not lost on Doyle Armbrust, about,” Fischer said, “ask your who wrote the remarkably neighbor, or take a look at the unconventional program notes New York Times.” And then we for the UMS concert. But by heard Beethoven. this point — perhaps because Well, to my surprise, I didn’t of its universal popularity, know what he was talking or maybe because of its sheer about, and I’m altogether too brilliance — Beethoven’s shy to ask a neighbor about symphony has sort of become anything. But it really didn’t the go-to example of a political take an extraordinary degree composition. I wrote about it on of deductive reasoning to November 9th, my insomniahypothesize about the situation addled mind desperately — and after the concert a quick seeking for some small Google search confirmed consolation or sliver of solace, what I had already suspected. and the New Yorker’s ever“An Orchestra Triumphs eloquent Alex Ross discusses Over Trump’s Travel Ban,” it in his characteristically the headline read. It seems percipient article “Making that our amateur president Art in a Time of Rage” on hadn’t quite thought through February 8th (Ross also gave a the nuances and complexities shout-out to Armbrust). All of of his “complete and total which makes sense: Beethoven shutdown” idea (to say nothing himself meant it as a statement, of its legality or morality), and was a rather political and in the chaotic hours and person. As a republican living days following the ban’s ham- under the careful watch of handed implementation, the Metternich’s secret police in Budapest Festival Orchestra’s autocratic Vienna, the failure US tour was jeopardized by the of the French Revolution and fact that one of their cellists the imposition of the archwas being told that he could conservative post-Napoleonic not enter the country because order surely ranked among one of his dual Hungarian/Iraqi of his many sorrows in life. citizenship. Fischer (Iván, But Beethoven certainly that is) lodged a complaint isn’t the only composer to
deal with political topics. The first opera I ever truly loved was “Nixon in China,” the 1987 work that springboarded the American composer John Adams to prominence. Though I had enjoyed various operas I saw before, until “Nixon” I had never loved one with the same sort of unreserved, fierce and unabashed abandon which characterized my feelings towards Adams’s composition. And part of this love, I think, stemmed from the fact that “Nixon” dove directly into the political, raising ethical and moral questions in the context of beautiful art, aided by Alice Goodman’s stunning libretto. Adam’s does this in other works as well — his opera “Doctor Atomic” deals with the subject of nuclear war, and the highly controversial opera “The Death of Klinghoffer” focuses on the 1985 hijacking of a passenger liner by Palestinian terrorists. This last work especially waded into the public fray of the emotionally fraught politics of the Israeli-Palestinian conf lict, and the opera has been accused of antisemitism (which its creators deny) and of being sympathetic to terrorism (what, after all, does it mean if terrorists are able to sing beautifully?). But setting aside the specifics of these examples, all of them demonstrate that art and politics are often inextricable. One cannot create art without participating in the world, and to some degree or another, this means that art will turn out to have political implications. And often art can help us better understand the political world we experience. Though Adams has recently stated in an interview with KQED: “The idea of a Trump opera doesn’t interest (him) in the least,” because “you don’t want to spend time as an artist giving your very best to a person who is a sociopath.” The work he has done on previous projects can still provide insights into the contemporary climate. As I look around at the way events are unfolding today, I’m put in mind of a scene from “Nixon.” In it, the president is in discussion with Mao Zedong and Premier Zhou Enlai when the Premier addresses Mao. “You’ve said that there’s a certain well-known tree that grows from nothing in a day, lives only as a sapling, dies just at its prime when good men raise it as their idol.” “Not the cross?” ventures Nixon. “The Liberty Tree,” comes Mao’s reply. “It was a riddle, not a test.” But perhaps now the riddle has become a test for us all.
MUSIC VIDEO REVIEW When the new music video for Michael Bublé’s “I Believe in You” opens with two kids shyly watching one another from a distance, it isn’t hard to try to predict where the plot might go from there. The narrative of a young boy and girl growing up alongside one another and falling in love isn’t new, requiring the video to go beyond the plotline in order to be really appealing. And, in many respects, it did. The first transition features the boy jumping down from a tree and landing as a teenager, which sets up a pattern of smoothly shot transitions that continues for the rest of the video. He and the girl are shown doing innocuous childhood activities together — riding a bicycle, doing homework — before leaning in for what is presumably their first kiss, which then cuts to a shot of him carrying her over their threshold in a wedding dress. In every age period, there is a gesture involving flowers. The young boy gives the girl a yellow flower in
their backyard; as teenagers, he gives her a pink flower as they are about to kiss; as newlyweds, she holds a similarly pink flower over her head as he carries her. By the end of the video, several years have passed, and the man and the woman have grown old, their mantle filled up with memories of their lives with their children and grandchildren.
“Believe” Michael Bublé Reprise Records The now-elderly man gives his wife a box, and she opens it to find flowers, reminding us of all of his gestures of love toward her over the course of their lives. “I Believe in You” is a lively song at times, and the video echoes this, primarily with the terrific dancing skills of the actors. Derek Hough of “Dancing With the Stars” directed and choreographed the video, and in his starring role as the husband, he brings a life and an energy to the
video that dramatically spikes the emotional investment of the viewer. He slides down tables, jumps over the banister of the house’s staircase, and embraces his wife, and all of these come across as effortless expressions of love. Combined with the use of flushed, spring-reminiscent colors and the emphasis on flowers, it is easy to see how this dancing would appeal to people at a time when a film like “La La Land” is so popular. The video ends with a quick return to the main characters smiling at one another as kids, a cliché but reasonable decision meant to remind the audience of how far they’ve come since the beginning of the song. The boy and the girl aren’t particularly unique or memorable, nor is the plotline at all inventive or something we haven’t seen before. But with the help of some uplifting music and Hough’s choreography skills, the video for the most part succeeds in packing the emotional punch that it set out for. — LAURA DZUBAY
Arts
6 — Friday, February 17, 2017
OSCAR ROUND-UP
The Michigan Daily — michigandaily.com
MUSIC REVIEW
SHORTSHD
1ST & 15TH
New Oscar shorts vibrant Lupe’s latest evades praise the most genuine portrayals of youth in film this year. Senior Arts Editor “Silent Nights” — Denmark — 30 minutes Some of the most (tragically) Often, short films feel like overlooked categories in film are pitches for longer movies. Such those of the short film. This year’s is the case with “Silent Nights,” crop of Oscar contenders for the a film from Danish director Live Action Short category prove Aske Bang. A young woman feature-length films aren’t the working at the Salvation Army only way to make movies. From begins a relationship with a dance comedies to immigration homeless Ghanaian immigrant dramas, the one who comes to the Oscar Nominated thing all five films shelter. “Silent have in common is Nights” packs an Shorts: Live Action that none of them emotional punch, ShortsHD are in English. but ultimately tries Seen together, they to tackle too much Michigan Theater paint a diverse — love, addiction, picture of life death, racism, across the European continent. pregnancy — for its half-hour “Mindenki (Sing)” — runtime. The film oozes potential Hungary — 25 minutes and, given a feature length and a The shorts begin on a high note better script, it could be incredibly with Kristóf Deák’s endearing impactful. “Sing.” One of the best portrayals “El corredor (Timecode)” — of adolescent girlhood this year, Spain — 15 minutes the short centers on an awardUnlike its peers, “Timecode” winning school choir that boasts is something wholly unexpected. inclusivity and only half practices Purely sweet and surprising, it it. The plot sets up an expected, doesn’t comment on the state though not unappreciated ending. of the world except to say that But what really solidifies the short everyone is looking for a way to is the performance of the young be happy. The fifteen-minute film, lead, Dorka Gáspárfalvi. There’s a by far the shortest of the selection, scene early on in which she sings, follows two security guards barely above a whisper, alone to working in a parking garage as herself. She looks in the mirror they find ways to pass time and at the way her mouth moves, her communicate across shifts. To voice so light it comes in and out of say anything more about the audibility. That moment and much plot would do a disservice to the of the rest of the film are some of surprise Juanjo Giménez has MADELEINE GAUDIN
Classifieds
expertly crafted. “Ennemis intérieurs (Enemies Within)” — France — 27 minutes The strongest of the lineup is also the most topical. French director Sélim Azazzi’s immigration drama is set in the ’90s, following a French-Algerian seeking French citizenship during the Algerian Civil War, but it could be set today. “Ennemis intérieurs” shines a harsh light on the sort of broad-brush blame and Islamophobia-inflected immigration policy across the Western world. The best-acted of the contenders, the short is also the most heart wrenching, asking its audience to take a look at what the threat to the nation really is. “La Femme et le TGV (The Railroad Lady)” — Switzerland — 30 minutes The brightest and ultimately weakest of the lineup comes from Swiss director Timo Van Guten. Jane Birkin (yes, Jane Birkin) plays a lonely woman who, after years of waving to the TGV train that passes by her home, develops an epistolary relationship with the driver. A social recluse who passionately lives in the past, most of her problems are self-inflicted. The plot plays out expectedly, giving Birkin plenty — probably too many — of opportunities to flux between perplexed and borderline senile. It’s cute and almost quirky, and not much more.
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RELEASE DATE– Friday, February 17, 2017
Los Angeles Times Daily Crossword Puzzle
HELP WANTED
Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Nichols Lewis
ACROSS 1 Earth tone 6 Popular speaker 10 Unlike Wabash College 14 “Voilà!” 15 Over 16 Company with a Select Guest loyalty program 17 Ladies’ man with laryngitis? 19 Ultimately earns 20 Airport NNW of IND 21 Spicy cuisine 22 A native of 23 Goneril’s husband 25 Revered sage, in India 27 Sweeps, e.g. 28 Infant at bath time? 29 1995 “Live at Red Rocks” pianist 30 African scourge 32 Indian silkproducing region 34 Suffix with ethyl 35 “Same here” 40 Counsel 43 Cheer 44 High schooler just hanging out? 48 Highest peak in the Armenian plateau 50 Armed ocean dweller? 51 Makes it right 52 Pride parade letters 53 “Macbeth” spot descriptor 55 Division of the Justice Dept. 57 Buffalo’s county 58 Ordinary-looking fashion VIP? 60 Marketing opener 61 “What a shame” 62 Really like 63 Aren’t really, maybe 64 Nasdaq competitor 65 Like Vikings DOWN 1 Emperor after Galba 2 Bach works
3 Word associated with Sleepy Hollow 4 Goof 5 Checkout correction, perhaps 6 “Point Break” co-star 7 Vision: Pref. 8 They’re meant for each other 9 Makes beloved 10 Informal discussion 11 Last book of Puzo’s “Godfather” trilogy 12 Bury 13 Alarm 18 “Trophy, Hypertrophied” artist 24 __ Men: “Who Let the Dogs Out” band 26 Follow 27 Rail system that services 20Across 28 Dahomey, since 1975 31 One at a time 33 Actor Damon 36 OPEC founding member
37 Ring fighter 38 Pop-up items 39 As of 1937, he was the all-time N.L. home run leader until Mays surpassed him in 1966 41 Like many a successful poker player 42 Consumed 44 Keys
45 Unilever deodorant brand 46 Likely to change 47 Regard 49 Serling’s birth name 51 Ouzo flavoring 54 “Serpico” author Peter 56 Hightail it 59 “Star Trek: DSN” changeling
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It’s evident as early as the second track. If “NGL” is meant Daily Arts Writer to be a political statement, it’s outdone in substance by Lupe Fiasco peaked too early, earlier Lupe, and outdated in and he knows it. In his own sound by, well, 2017. A Ty Dolla review of his own album, posted $ign feature can’t save what on Twitter, he asks what more sounds like off-brand Lupe. there is to prove, and he has a Seemingly one quip away from point. His discography paints having a much-needed bite, a complicated picture; Food & that informed aggression never Liquor (2006) broke barriers comes, instead proving that for a debut Lupe has settled DROGAS Light album, mixing for this. He knows, unprecedented and we know, that Lupe Fiasco sonic he is, and has done, instrumentation better. 1st & 15th with uniquely “Jump” is a pointed brighter note, preaching. The Cool (2007) his trademark flow on full brought with it just the display over pulsing and right amount of aggression, shifty production. Recklessly maintaining trademark Lupe assertive, it brings with it a swerve while still harping on palpable punch. The substance the same type of local worry of the song lends itself to the with which he grew up. And smorgasbord of worry (e.g. then shit went down. Lasers material obsession, Black (2011), the product of a long plight, familial strength, miscommunication between sexual intimacy) Lupe explores Lupe and Atlantic Records, throughout the album, all nods, was watered down and mostly undoubtedly, to his legacy. It ingenuine, devoid of the soulful becomes clear that he wants to swagger to which we had be remembered as someone who become accustomed. cared. We hear this in “High,” Tetsuo & Youth (2015) left which boasts a futuristic sound plenty for us to decode, most of draped in layers of pitchy which we couldn’t, which was background accompaniment as perfectly fine. The intellectual he pleads to be sent to the rap puzzle revived Lupe’s career heavens. after his lowest low (2012’s Food “Kill” is Kendrick-esque & Liquor II), and reaffirmed his in its effortless cool, which is seemingly limitless capacity for ironic to even claim, as Lupe lyrical development. arguably laid the foundation for It’s not rocket science; Lamar’s later adapted mastery there legitimately isn’t much of a vibe-infused political flex. left to prove. Enter DROGAS Borrowing linguistically from Light, a release that is, quite To Pimp a Butterfly’s “These literally, light on everything: Walls,” Fiasco shifts thematic substantiality, implication and focus from Lamar — “My n---a, even innovation. It is a light if these poles could talk / If the version of his better self, a stage grew another pole, got up diverse compilation of mostly and walked / Gotta kill these bubbly throwaways that are dollars, it can’t be an assault more suited for a concert / Need your real love, mama, setting than a Rap Genius you can’t be in my thoughts” seminar. It may not be the Lupe — but hits with the sort of we want, but it’s one with which emotionally-charged appeal we should probably become that made us fall in love with comfortable at this point. him in the first place. Reasoning JOEY SCHUMAN
with the seemingly more ignorant public about women’s worth in society (uniquely, in this case, through the lens of a stripper) is the danger with which Lupe should probably still be flirting, because he’s proven over the course of his career that he’s able to effectively do so. A provocative hook with Ty Dolla $ign and Victoria Monét cements the track as the album’s best. A relatively strong initial push can’t hide what feels like a somewhat half-hearted final stretch. “Law” plays as a cheap attempt at intimacy; “Pick up the Phone” fragments itself with an annoying hook; “It’s Not Design” showcases Lupe’s lyrical versatility and even creativity (“And in the futuristic / Love will be reduced to physics / Computer digits made by robots / That use statistics, algorithms, and group logistics”), albeit alongside out of place production, the same issue that plagues “Wild Child” one track later. The sincerity of “More Than My Heart” manages to salvage some of the back end’s lost momentum. Regardless of album-wide fluidity (or lack thereof ), DROGAS Light cannot be listened to pretentiously nor contextually. It becomes apparent fairly quickly that it’s not a release singularly intended to enlighten. Compartmentalization is vital in its listening approach; consciously dense Lupe is rarely in appearance, and deliberately so, eschewed in favor of a more carefree aura. After all, this Lupe 2.0 (better yet, Lupe Light) is all that’s left, and for good reason. His legendary record speaks for itself. He said it best himself when he claimed this release as being Lasers, refined. Well, Lasers was kind of trash, and while DROGAS Light deserves more credit than trash, it’s certainly nowhere close to gold.
COMMUNITY CULTURE PREVIEW
ComCo’s ‘PMS’ brilliant all so different in what they are studying, where they are from, Daily Arts Writer and their interests,” O’Connor said. Describing ComCo, the ComCo shows are a popular, University’s oldest student-run once-a-month Friday night event improv comedy troupe, is an in Angell hall. They are always impossible task. In three words, packed with friends, fans and I’d say: brilliant, students who come effulgent and anticipating an ComCo presents: wacky. As one of hour-and-a-half of PMS I Love You the undergraduate hilarious improv community’s comedy. Many of Angell Hall favorite groups ComCo’s shows Auditorium A on campus, I had attract over 300 Friday, February high expectations audience members, for ComCo before some of whom are 18th @ 8 P.M. I saw it for the first willing to sit in Free time in September. the aisles if there When Quinn are no seats left O’Connor — a freshman and new (something I’ll admit to doing). member — stood up with a straight The community that ComCo has face and said, “I like my man like I built at the University, has given like my hat: Sitting on my face,” I students an outlet to laugh, be silly, knew I was in the right place. The have fun and separate themselves group is currently comprised of from the stressful academic nine inimitable and contrasting world in which they spend their members, freshman through everyday lives. senior, who fit together perfectly The ComCo players never miss to create this eclectic and quirky a beat during a show, getting group. laughs with every bit they play. “I’m in a group with eight They work impeccably well amazing other people who are together given the quick speed and ELI RALLO
impromptu nature of the scenes. In speaking with members of the group, and seeing them perform together, it is clear that the key to the popularity of ComCo is the connection between the members. They are undoubtedly comfortable with one another and have a strong familial bond off the stage. “Overall, ComCo has shown me unconditional love (take that, mom and dad), taught me how to accept others for who they are, and how to turn stairs into a sexual object,” added freshman Zoe Moore. In a time when negativity and antagonism surround us, it is important to find an outlet or an escape. ComCo is a space that keeps the audience laughing nonstop from the minute they walk in the door. That feel-good, bellylaughing, brings-tears-to-the eyes kind of performance that ComCo delivers time and time again is just the kind of art we all need to be going to see.
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Sports
Friday, February 17, 2017 — 7
BASKETBALL ‘M’ looks to respond in ACC/Big Ten Challenge WOMEN’S Michigan falls to Indiana MAX MARCOVITCH Daily Sports Writer
The last time the Michigan softball team entered the second weekend of its season with multiple losses was 2006. But after dropping two close games in Tampa, Fla. last weekend, the Wolverines fell from No. 6 to No. 11 in the national rankings and now find themselves in uncharted waters heading into the ACC/Big Ten Challenge this weekend in Raleigh, N.C. Still, the calendar reads February, and for Michigan coach Carol Hutchins and her team, that means prioritizing progress over results. For one of the longesttenured coaches in college softball, a couple of opening-weekend losses hardly phase her. What does concern Hutchins, though — which she emphasized this week in practice — is consistency throughout her lineup, particularly with runners in scoring position. Last weekend, the Wolverines hit .314 as a team, but managed an average below .200 with runners in scoring position. There are
several potential explanations for that disparity, both physically and mentally. “A lot of it was our mindset,” said senior shortstop Abby Ramirez. “We didn’t get the timely hits we needed, so we’ve been working on hitting with runners in scoring position and not making it too big of a deal in your head. Just taking it as a normal at-bat.” That struggle may also be a product of the lack of experience. Entering last weekend, only five players on the roster had earned over 100 at-bats in their careers. Sophomores Natalie Peters, Courtney Richardson, Alex Sobczak and Faith Canfield — all expected to be major contributors on offense this season — entered the season with a combined total of 182 at-bats in their careers, with most coming in blowouts, pinchhit appearances or other lowerleverage sitations. For context, senior outfielder Kelly Christner had nearly that many (179) on her own last season. “We spent most of yesterday free-swinging, working on drills that help untie us. We’re a little tied-up, a little tight,” Hutchins
said. “And they look like they’re swinging a little better, but obviously we’ll see this weekend.” Granted, this weekend will not mount the same type of challenge to the young lineup that now-No. 1 Florida was able to provide last weekend. Michigan will go up against NC State and Notre Dame — each twice — in this year’s ACC/Big Ten Challenge. The Wolfpack and Fighting Irish went 2-3 and 3-2, respectively, in their opening weekend tournaments. These two games will be just the fifth and sixth matchups alltime between Michigan and NC State — the Wolverines have won all four of their previous contests. If Michigan can focus on keeping the ball in the ballpark, it should have a good chance to take both games against the Wolfpack. Last season, NC State finished 11th in the country in home runs per game (1.29), despite managing just the 179th best batting average in the country (.270 average). Notre Dame, on the other hand, is a more well-known opponent. “I know we’ll have our hands
FILE PHOTO/Daily
Michigan coach Carol Hutchins geared practice toward the offense in preparation for this weekend’s tournament.
full (with the Fighting Irish),” Hutchins said in an interview with WTKA on Thursday. “We always have great competitive matchups with Notre Dame, they’re a very familiar team, as we see them often in our postseason.” Most recently, Michigan topped the Fighting Irish last May, 6-2, to advance to the NCAA Super Regionals. That day, thenjunior right-hander Megan Betsa neutralized the Notre Dame lineup, limiting it to just two runs in a complete-game performance. Most notably, though, Betsa did not walk a batter and threw just 93 pitches. While she has been outspoken about wanting to pitch to contact more this season, Betsa threw over 300 pitches and walked 10 batters in 17 innings last weekend. Though she was named Big Ten Pitcher of the Week for the dominance — to her credit, the 0.41 earned-run average and 27 strikeouts speak for themselves — Hutchins knows that in order to maximize the number of innings Betsa can throw this season while still maintaining her health for a postseason run, Betsa will have to be more efficient. “It’s not lost on her that the more pitches she throws in a game, the less available she’s going to be,” Hutchins said. “We’re very cognizant of (her workload). She just needs to attack hitters. You don’t pitch to not get hit, you pitch to beat them, and she’s very capable of that.” While the theme of the week was improving the consistency of the offense, perhaps the most important aspect to watch this weekend will be the pitching staff. If Betsa and junior right-hander Tera Blanco can be more efficient and effective in their outings, that could bode well not only for this weekend, but for the rest of the season. The calendar may read February — and for Betsa the results may continue to be good — but it’s those types of gradual improvements that may be beneficial come May.
NATHANIEL CLARK Daily Sports Writer
At halftime, the No. 20 Michigan women’s basketball team appeared dead in the water. Michigan MICHIGAN 61 trailed 72 INDIANA Indiana 40-22 — its lowest point total this season — while shooting just 12.5 percent from 3-point range. The Hoosiers looked to be running away with the contest. But the Wolverines managed to fight back in the second half. Michigan went on an 11-0 run in the fourth quarter and trimmed the deficit to just eight points. It wasn’t enough, though, as Indiana held on for a 72-61 win. The Wolverines made just 21.3 percent of their three-point shots in the game. “Coming into tonight, we needed to remind ourselves that Indiana is a good team,” said Michigan coach Kim Barnes Arico. “They’re a team that’s experienced and a team that plays well at home. It just felt like anything we were throwing at them, they were scoring on.” With 7:31 to go in the fourth frame, Michigan (10-3 Big Ten, 21-6 overall) found itself in a 65-46 hole until freshman guard Kysre Gondrezick made her first 3-pointer of the night. Junior guard Katelynn Flaherty and freshman forward Kayla Robbins followed Gondrezick up with a pair of layups before Gondrezick made a two-point jumper. The comeback effort was on for Michigan. Reality then set in for the Wolverines, as Hoosier guard Tyra Buss made a layup with 2:18 to go that put Indiana (8-5, 18-8) ahead by double-digits once again. The Wolverines never recovered from the 68-57 deficit, as they scored only once in their final four possessions. “We had a legitimate shot in the fourth quarter,” Barnes Arico said. “Then we kind of got
stagnant. We got some stops, but we weren’t able to get scores. We haven’t lost in a long time. It’ll be interesting to see how we respond.” Most of the game was dominated by the Hoosiers, especially the first quarter. Indiana outscored Michigan 13-0 over the last six minutes of the first frame, which allowed the Hoosiers to take a 23-8 lead. Buss led the charge for Indiana, scoring nine points. The Wolverines, meanwhile, made just three of their 11 shots in the quarter. Michigan continued to implode in the second stanza, as the Hoosiers rode an 8-0 run to their 40-22 halftime lead. This time, it was guard Karlee McBride who abused the Wolverines, putting up seven points in the frame. Michigan further hindered its cause by turning the ball over six times while Indiana coughed it up just thrice. “We couldn’t get stops early on, and I think that frustrated us,” Barnes Arico said. “I think that forced us to take some bad looks on (the) offensive end.” Life was marginally easier for the Wolverines in the third quarter, as they made 53.3 percent of their shots. Michigan even managed a 6-0 run thanks to back-to-back 3-pointers from sophomore guard Nicole Munger and senior guard Siera Thompson. But it was nowhere near enough to erase the Wolverines’ deficit. The Hoosiers shot 56.3 percent and commanded a 61-42 edge at the end of the third. The hole proved to be too much for Michigan to crawl out of. Despite the defeat, the Wolverines remain two games ahead of Indiana for third place in the Big Ten standings. They can clinch the third seed in the Big Ten Tournament with a win over Michigan State on Sunday, but after falling to the Hoosiers on Thursday, they will also need an Indiana loss to achieve their season-long goal.
Michigan set for tough Wolverines to open season against Seton Hall series with Wisconsin ICE HOCKEY
JACOB SHAMES Daily Sports Writer
MIKE PERSAK
Daily Sports Editor
The last time the Michigan hockey team played on an Olympic-sized rink, it struggled defensively, allowing nine goals in two games to Minnesota. Since then, the Wolverines’ defense has continued to be a trouble spot, giving up two goals or fewer in only one of six games since playing the Golden Gophers. This weekend, Michigan will face another offensiveminded team on a larger sheet of ice when it takes on No. 20 Wisconsin. The Badgers boast the seventh-best offense in the country and showed their ability to score goals in their first game against the Wolverines, exploding for seven goals. Though the larger ice rink can sometimes pose a challenge for opposing defenses, Michigan knows what it has to improve upon to be ready for Wisconsin. “I think the forecheck is going to be really important,” said senior defenseman Nolan De Jong. “Because the faster we can take away their time and space in the offensive zone, obviously the less we’ll have it in our zone. “For the defense, kind of staying between the (faceoff ) dots. You see these teams, they’ll try to spread you outside the dots and try to find that lane to the middle. Wisconsin’s a team that’s going to try to sneak guys behind you and try to score on breakaways and kind of quick, fast transitions.” Offensively, the Wolverines seemed to be improving, but they struggled again last Saturday against Michigan State. Though senior forward Alex Kile remains sidelined with an injury, Michigan hopes to show its offensive potency on the larger ice. One reason for optimism could be freshman forward Will Lockwood. His scoring has
slowed down after a hot start to the season, but with more room to skate this weekend, the freshman’s speed and offensive ability could be on display. He was unable to make the trip to Minneapolis due to an injury of his own, so this will be the first time he has an opportunity to make an impact for Michigan with extra space on the ice. According to Michigan coach Red Berenson, his team’s competitiveness and puck security will be key. “We didn’t have all of our speed in the lineup (against Minnesota),” Berenson said. “This is a skater’s rink, but you still have got to compete. Wisconsin’s a skilled team, and they skate. They’re one of the better offensive teams in our league, especially on the power play. “But we’ve got to take care of the puck. That’s one thing I thought we did poorly on Saturday at home. We got the puck, and then we’d turn it over, and then we’d be chasing it again. And in a rink like this, you’re going to be chasing all night if you don’t take care of the puck.” In net, the Wolverines will turn to freshman goaltender Jack LaFontaine. After not playing much in the middle of the season, LaFontaine started Saturday against the Spartans and started strong before an injury forced him to leave the game early. Michigan is heading to Madison in the midst of a rather rough stretch, losing five of its last eight games. But the Wolverines are still optimistic, according to De Jong. “I think we’re pretty upbeat right now,” De Jong said. “I think we know we got a bit of a wakeup call last Saturday. That wasn’t an acceptable effort. But I think we had a really good practice out there today, and I think we’re excited to go and excited to get another game under our belt.”
With so much of the same personnel returning for the Michigan baseball team, it seems fitting that its 2017 season will begin in the same place the 2016 campaign did. The Wolverines, who were recently picked to finish second behind Maryland in the Big Ten Preseason Coaches Poll, will take on Seton Hall in a fourgame series in Port St. Lucie, Fla. beginning on Friday. The trip marks the ninth time in 10 years that Michigan has played in Port St. Lucie, the spring training home of the New York Mets. Michigan was ranked 15th in the country at the start of last season, and justified that placement with a seasonopening four-game sweep of Canisius in Florida. The Wolverines will begin this season unranked, however, due to the loss of key contributors, such as utility player Carmen Benedetti and left-handed pitcher Brett Adcock, as well as their struggles down the stretch last season. After a 34-12 start, they lost nine of their final 11 games and failed to reach the NCAA Tournament. Still, Michigan coach Erik Bakich’s expectations for his veteranladen squad remain high. “(This team has) been training as hard and with as much intent as possible,” Bakich said. “There’s as much anticipation for this particular group as any team I’ve been a part of.” For the pitching staff, junior left-hander Oliver Jaskie is effectively locked in as the Wolverines’ top starter after compiling a 7-3 record with a 3.19 earned-run average last season. Sophomore righthander Alec Rennard, a junior college transfer from Santa Rosa Community College, is all but assured of a rotation spot as well. Behind them, a number of veterans will look to assert themselves. Junior righthander Ryan Nutof and lefthander Michael Hendrickson
are currently leading the competiton to fill out the rotation. Michigan’s strength on offense centers around an experienced and versatile infield that returns four starters, all of whom are capable of filling a number of roles if necessary. Juniors Jake Bivens — a .356 hitter last season — and Drew Lugbauer — second on the team with seven home runs — will man the corner infield spots. Senior shortstop Michael Brdar and sophomore second baseman Ako Thomas, who aren’t as prolific at the plate as Bivens or Lugbauer, will serve as anchors up the middle. “Brdar and Ako Thomas are really skilled defensively,” Bivens said. “(Senior catcher Harrison Wenson) and Drew and (sophomore infielder Jimmy Kerr) can play any position, so obviously that experience will be important for us.” Added Bakich: “It’s not very often you get the entire infield back. (Bivens) has played plenty
of shortstop in his time here and even Lugbauer got a little time at shortstop last fall. I feel very confident about our infield talent.” Accentuating this versatility is Wenson, Michigan’s leader in home runs and runs batted in last season with eight and 56, respectively. Not only will he occupy a spot in the middle of the order as the Wolverines‘ primary power source, but he has proven himself to be dependable as a backstop. “He gives us not only a good presence behind the plate, but allows us to get our best offense on the field,” Bakich said. Similar to Michigan, Seton Hall missed out on an NCAA Tournament berth last season despite a solid 38-20 record. With a lineup anchored by Mike Alescio, a preseason All-Big East selection at catcher, the Pirates will likely implement a small-ball approach predicated on baserunning and defense. Seton Hall hit just 11 home runs with a .273 average last season, far below the Wolverines’ 28
home runs and team batting average of .299, but the Pirates led the nation in stolen bases at 183. While Seton Hall may not hold an offensive advantage over the Wolverines, the Pirates do boast an experienced pitching staff which posted a 3.21 ERA last year. Shane McCarthy — a unanimous selection to the All-Big East first feam — and Cullen Dana both recorded sub-3.00 ERAs, while closer Zach Schellenger struck out 70 batters in just 45.2 innings. Despite the bitter end to last season, excitement and optimism around Michigan baseball remains high, and a quality opponent in Seton Hall will provide an experienced Wolverine squad with their first big test in their quest to return to the postseason. “We have a great group of guys that know how to handle the pressure,” Bivens said. “It’s been exciting to play with them, and it’s going to be a great time going down South.”
EVAN AARON/Daily
Junior infielder Jake Bivens will provide a steady presence at the plate and in the field for the Wolverines this season.
Sports
8 — Friday, February 17, 2017
The Michigan Daily — michigandaily.com
Michigan upsets No. 11 Wisconsin, boosts NCAA tournament resume KEVIN SANTO
Managing Sports Editor
Entering Thursday night, it was no secret that the Michigan men’s basketball team had a shot at the upset. The Wolverines were rolling, fresh off a blowout win against Michigan State and their first victory at Assembly Hall since 2009. The momentum, coupled with the fact that Michigan led No. 11 Wisconsin in Madison last month until the final five minutes, pointed toward the possibility of the Wolverines’ first win against a ranked opponent this season. And when it was announced that Wisconsin guard Bronson Koenig would be sidelined for the matchup with a left leg strain, that chance seemed even more likely. After all, it marked the first time in Koenig’s career that he would miss a game for the Badgers due to injury,
and it was his performance that brought Michigan’s upset attempt at the Kohl Center to a screeching halt — scoring 10 consecutive points late to singlehandedly give Wisconsin a lead that it wouldn’t relinquish. But this time, there was no wondering, as Michigan closed out a resume-bolstering 64-58 victory at Crisler Center to beat the Badgers for the first time since 2014. “This team deserves to have a run like this,” said sophomore forward Moritz Wagner. “We’re such a good group — everybody loves each other, everybody plays for each other. We practice so hard, and we’ve been going through a stretch where that didn’t always pay off. And now it pays off, so it just means so much to us that we’re able to have a run right now and win games against really good teams.” Even in its early stages, the game shaped up to be a battle of the big men.
Michigan (7-6 Big Ten, 17-9 overall) opened up the first half on an 8-2 run, but the Badgers (10-3 Big Ten, 21-5 overall) managed to cut the deficit quickly and started feeding the ball to forward Ethan Happ. Wagner had the responsibility of stopping Wisconsin’s redshirt freshman, but Happ played the first half like a man incapable of being stopped. With 8:29 left in the frame, Wagner was called for his first foul of the game and was replaced by freshman forward Jon Teske. Up to that point, Wagner had weathered the impending storm, holding Happ to just six points. But Teske’s inexperience showed, and Happ took full advantage — scoring six straight points while Teske could do nothing but commit two fouls that ultimately brought Wagner back in. By that time, though, Happ
had found his groove — taking whatever he wanted down low to finish the half with 18 points on 8-for-9 shooting, four assists and three rebounds. It was certainly a precarious situation for the Wolverines, as they had held Happ to just 11 total points in their last meeting. Despite struggling to contain Wisconsin’s marquee big man, Wagner still did his part on the other end to keep Michigan afloat — scoring a team-high 12 points on 4-for-7 shooting. While Happ imposed his will in the post, Wagner operated beyond the arc, draining 2-of-4 from deep. Still, Happ’s dominant half put the Badgers on top, 31-30, at the break. The second half, though, was a different story. While Wisconsin looked poised to break the game open with a 7-0 run to open the frame, the
Wolverines managed to stick around after notching a 6-0 run of their own. “I don’t know if they don’t go up eight like that, maybe we don’t win the game,” said Michigan coach John Beilein. “Maybe it’s nip and tuck and we let it get away at the end. I think our guys had that ‘back to the wall’ again, knowing that we were in trouble. “(Derrick Walton Jr.) in the huddle shouted, ‘We’ve got to get stops! We’ve got to get stops!’ That’s not typical Derrick Walton. … I felt a sense of urgency from this team once we got down by eight.” Then, roughly five minutes after willing his team forward in the huddle, Walton took the ball to the hole for an acrobatic layup and drew Happ’s third foul. Though it sent him to the bench for just over a minute, Happ was visibly more tentative on the defensive end for the remainder of the game.
That — coupled with Michigan’s decision to start double teaming him on the opposite end — limited Happ’s impact, as he fouled out with 36.9 seconds left to finish with just four second-half points and end the game with 22 points on 10-for-13 shooting. “When to double is always the question,” Wagner said. “He’s a really good passer, I kind of feel like he likes to pass. But that’s the thing, you’ve gotta mix it up. You can’t give him the same look every possession. I think we did a pretty good job of that.” Entering Thursday night, it was no secret that the Wolverines had a shot at the upset. But that doesn’t make stamping a win against the Badgers’ onto their NCAA Tournament resume any less sweet. Read the full story at michigandaily.com
JEREMY MITNICK/Daily
Senior wing Zak Irvin broke out of his slump with an 18-point, five-rebound and three-assist night against the Badgers.
Irvin rediscovers form in victory BRANDON CARNEY Daily Sports Writer
If calling bank was all it took, Zak Irvin would have said it a lot sooner. With the shot clock approaching zero, the senior wing launched a prayer. Given Irvin’s recent slump over Michigan’s last four games entering Thursday’s tie with Wisconsin — in which he’s averaged 3.25 points per game — nobody thought Irvin’s heave was going anywhere near the twine below the rim. But Irvin got just enough power and accuracy on his shot that a kiss off the glass of the backboard was enough for it to fall through the hoop. As Irvin turned around, he gave off a shrug in disbelief. Who would have thought that out of all the shots he has missed of late, the one that seemed most improbable would actually go in? It turned out that all Irvin needed was a trip to the bank to get back to his true scoring self in Michigan’s 64-58 win over the Badgers. “When I made in that bank shot, I was so relieved after it went in,” Irvin said. “I think that really got me going in the second half. It’s a great feeling.“ Irvin knew it was only a matter of time before he’d be able to bounce back and rediscover his form. After his four-game streak of underwhelming performances, Irvin put together an impressive 18-point, five-rebound and threeassist night that might have been his best all-around performance of the
conference season. The senior began by diversifying his offense, scoring an easy layup at the hoop and getting to the freethrow line early. Irvin’s jump shot was still off in the first half, as he airballed a three in the opening minutes, but he still boosted Michigan’s offense by finding easy baskets at the hoop. Michigan coach John Beilein trusted that Irvin would breakout and become the offensive threat he’s been for most of the season. The only way Beilein felt that could happen was to continue giving Irvin the green light. “When he threw that air ball and missed by four feet, I don’t care,” Beilein said. “I told him, ‘Shoot it when you’re open.’ It’s going to be very hard for us to have success this year if we shut him off and just say, ‘Don’t.’ He scored 1,400 points — you don’t say, ‘Okay, you don’t know how to score anymore.’ You don’t forget that.” While Irvin proved Thursday that his jump shot wasn’t close to being forgotten, he also showed that the slump may have had benefitted other facets of his game. Irvin had two assists down low in the second half to redshirt sophomore forward DJ Wilson and sophomore forward Moritz Wagner that circumnavigated Wisconsin’s stout frontcourt defense and led to a couple of big scores in the paint. Those were passes Irvin may not have made a couple of weeks ago, but his vision has opened up to more than just the hoop in front of him. “I think tonight, I was able to find
players and put them in the right position to score,” Irvin said. “I just got to do that going forward.” The senior also put more energy into making stops on the defensive end. In the second half, Irvin had the task of double teaming Badger forward Ethan Happ, who had tallied 18 points and four assists in the first 20 minutes. The help defense clearly got to Happ’s head as the second half progressed. Irvin forced Happ into bad shots and bad passing lanes, all while holding his main defensive assignment, Wisconsin forward Nigel Hayes, to just four points in the final period. “That’s been the biggest thing for me,” Irvin said. “I’m able to impact the game in other ways than scoring. I’ve really taken it upon myself on the defensive end to contribute there. As a whole, we did a great job on Hayes and Happ.” With five games to go in the regular season, Michigan knows it needs Irvin to be his well-rounded self now more than ever as it enters the home stretch of its postseason push. “That kid works so hard, (and) has been going through a tough stretch,” Wagner said. “To be honest, I think people make a big deal out of it even though it isn’t. Like people go through stretches like that. I’m so happy that — even though he banked it, I don’t care how — it was such a relief. We just knew, hey, he’s back.” Read the full story at michigandaily.com